Turn whatever vegetables you have in your fridge into a healthy and colorful Veggie Stir Fry with an easy sweet-savory sauce in less than 30 minutes.

Stir fry vegetables served over rice in a dark bowl.

A Fabulous Meal Starts With This Veggie Stir Fry Recipe

Even though I went to a culinary school that primarily focused on classic French techniques and dishes, a few of the chef instructors were not afraid to break out the wok.

So, along with eggs Benedict, we also learned how to make breakfast fried rice. And along with braised short ribs, we learned how to make an excellent veggie stir fry.

Knowing how to properly stir fry vegetables is all about understanding the balance of heat, timing and ingredients. By learning the recipe below, you’re not just making dinner, you’re mastering a fundamental skill for any home chef.

Why You’ll Love Stir Fry Vegetables

  • Stir-frying is one of the quickest cooking methods, so you can definitely have a meal on the table in under 30 minutes!
  • The possibilities are endless. Mix and match vegetables based on what you have around.
  • Stir-fry is a dish that everyone loves, so it’s a great option for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients on a dark surface, including broccoli, red pepper, carrots, snow pea pods, green onions, garlic, honey broth, ginger, soy sauce and spices.

Veggie Stir Fry ingredients

  • broccoli – a nice hearty “base” vegetable for any stir-fry.
  • yellow onion – adds sweetness and depth of flavor as it caramelizes in the dish.
  • bell pepper – any color works, but I like red bell peppers for their sweetness.
  • carrots – the firm texture stands up well during stir-frying.
  • snow pea pods – adds a fresh, crisp texture to this vegetarian stir fry recipe. Sugar snap peas are also great here.
  • green onions – add more mild onion flavor and a hint of freshness since they aren’t cooked as long as the other veggies.
  • vegetable broth – the liquid base for the sauce.
  • soy sauce – adds big umami flavor to the sauce. Low sodium soy sauce is fine if you are watching your salt intake.
  • honey – adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce to balance the salty soy sauce. Brown sugar can be substituted in a pinch.
  • sesame oil – adds a rich, nutty taste.
  • cornstarch – thickens the sauce.
  • garlic – enhances the depth of flavor of the sauce.
  • ginger – adds a warm, spicy note to this veggie stir fry recipe.
  • chili garlic sauce – an optional addition to add heat to the sauce.

How to Stir Fry Vegetables

A glass bowl filled with a chunky orange-brown mixture.

1. SAUCE. In a small bowl, stir together the broth, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, sesame oil, garlic, ginger and chili garlic sauce, if using.

A black skillet filled with broccoli, red pepper, onion and carrot.

2. COOK. Heat a wok or large skillet and add a bit of oil. Add the broccoli, yellow onion, carrot and bell pepper and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the pea pods and cook for 1 minute.

A black skillet filled with a vegetarian stir fry recipe, with a hand pouring a bowl of sauce over the veggies.

4. ADD. Add the sauce and bring to a boil, cooking until the sauce is thickened and coating the vegetables.

A black skillet filled with a stir fry vegetables recipe.

5. GREEN ONION. Stir in the green onion.

Bowls filled with vegetarian stir fry over white rice on a dark surface.

6. FINISH. Remove the pan from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and more green onion. Serve hot, with steamed rice.

Home Chef Tips

  • High heat is key. Don’t be afraid to really crank the heat up under your wok.
  • The fresher your vegetables, the better your stir fry will taste.
A black skillet filled with a veggie stir fry recipe, with a wooden spoon in it.

Vegetarian Stir Fry Recipe Variations

  • DIFFERENT VEGETABLES – Other vegetables that are great to use for stir fry include zucchini, baby corn, asparagus, eggplant, celery, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, cabbage, bok choy, mushrooms and bamboo shoots.
  • PROTEIN BOOST – Add cubed tofu or tempeh for extra nutrition.
  • SWITCH UP THE SAUCE – Experiment with different sauces (either bottled or homemade) like sweet and sour or spicy peanut sauce.
Bowls filled with veggie stir fry over white rice on a dark surface.

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How to Serve Veggie Stir Fry

Stir fry vegetables can be served many ways, including.

Storing Vegetarian Stir Fry

If you have leftovers of this stir fry vegetables recipe, transfer them to a storage container and place them in the fridge uncovered for a few hours until they are fully chilled, then cover them with the lid and keep in the refrigerator up to 3 days. 

Stir fry vegetables on a rustic platter with a wooden serving spoon.

Stir Fry Vegetarian Recipe FAQs

What is the secret of stir-frying vegetables?

The secret to perfect stir-fried vegetables is high heat and quick cooking. This is what helps seal in the vegetables’ natural flavors and nutrients while keeping them tender-crisp.

What order to add veggies to stir-fry?

Start with the vegetables that take the longest to cook, such as broccoli, carrot and onions. Once these are softened, add the quicker-cooking vegetables like snow peas and mushrooms. This ensures that all the vegetables finish cooking at the same time.

How to add flavor to stir fry?

Flavor is added to stir fry with aromatics like garlic and ginger, flavorful sauces, and finishing touches like sesame seeds.

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Stir fry vegetables served over rice in a dark bowl.

Stir Fry Vegetables Recipe

Author: Lori Yates
Yield: 4 servings
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Turn whatever vegetables you have in your fridge into a healthy and colorful Veggie Stir Fry with an easy sweet-savory sauce in less than 30 minutes.
4 from 1 rating
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Ingredients

For the Sauce:

  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ cup vegetable broth
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 4 ½ teaspoons cornstarch
  • 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  • 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (optional)

For the Stir Fry Vegetables:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 small carrots sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 large red bell pepper cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 medium yellow onion sliced
  • 2 cups broccoli florets cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup snow pea pods
  • 3 green onions sliced

For Serving:

  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 2 green onions sliced
  • Cooked white rice (optional)

Instructions

  • Make the Sauce: In small bowl, stir together garlic, broth, soy sauce, honey, cornstarch, ginger, sesame oil and chili garlic sauce.
  • Make the Stir Fry Vegetables: Heat wok or large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil, then add carrots, bell pepper, onion and broccoli. Cook 3 to 5 minutes or until tender-crisp (closer to 3 for crisper veggies, and closer to 5 for softer veggies), stirring occasionally.
  • Add pea pods and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
  • Pour sauce over vegetables. Heat to boiling and cook 1 minute or until sauce thickens and coats the vegetables.
  • Remove from heat and stir in green onion.
  • Serve garnished with sesame seeds and additional green onions, with rice, if desired.
Calories: 200kcal, Carbohydrates: 27g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Sodium: 1298mg, Potassium: 502mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 6223IU, Vitamin C: 115mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 2mg
This website provides estimated nutrition information as a courtesy only. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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